forget

verb for·get \fər-ˈget, fȯr-\

: to be unable to think of or remember (something)

: to fail to remember to bring or take (something)

: to stop thinking or caring about (someone)

for·got\-ˈgät\for·got·ten\-ˈgä-t^ən\ or for·gotfor·get·ting

Full Definition of FORGET

transitive verb

a : to lose the remembrance of : be unable to think of or recall <I forget his name>

b obsolete : to cease from doing

: to treat with inattention or disregard <forgot their old friends>

a : to disregard intentionally : overlook —usually used in the imperative <I shouldn't have said that, so just forget it>

b : to give up hope for or expectation of —usually used in the imperative <as for prompt service, forget it>

intransitive verb

: to cease remembering or noticing <forgive and forget>

: to fail to become mindful at the proper time <forgot about paying the bill>

— for·get·ter noun

— forget oneself

: to lose one's dignity, temper, or self-control

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Origin of FORGET

Middle English, from Old English forgietan, from for- + -gietan (akin to Old Norse geta to get)

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FORGET

Synonyms: disremember, unlearn

Antonyms: flash back (to), hark back (to), harken back (to), hearken back (to), mind [chiefly dialect], recall, recollect, remember, reminisce (about), think (of)

Synonym Discussion of FORGET

neglect, disregard, ignore, overlook, slight, forget mean to pass over without giving due attention. neglect implies giving insufficient attention to something that merits one's attention <habitually neglected his studies>. disregard suggests voluntary inattention <disregarded the wishes of his family>. ignore implies a failure to regard something obvious <ignored the snide remark>. overlook suggests disregarding or ignoring through haste or lack of care <in my rush I overlooked a key example>. slight implies contemptuous or disdainful disregarding or omitting <slighted several major authors in her survey>. forget may suggest either a willful ignoring or a failure to impress something on one's mind <forget what others say>.